Writing the Case Analysis in College or an MBA Program

Written case analyses are short, structured reports. Usually, the instructor will ask for between two and ten typed pages, depending upon the complexity of the case. Some business case studies are assigned as individual efforts; others are group projects. Still others may be a partial group effort, with the group collaborating in the analysis and each individual student being asked to prepare a separate written analysis.

Your task, in writing your case analysis, is to combine aspects of the case and key issues with your perceptions and supported opinions. You must then examine alternatives, choose the most viable solution, and provide evidence to support your views. You obtain this evidence from class discussions, your text readings, outside research, and your personal experiences.

1. Determine how you want to present your views and structure your paper.

Most case studies follow a prescribed format and structure and can vary depending upon the course in which it is used, such as those discussed next. Check with your instructor regarding his or her preference as to the sections of the case study analysis report. Case study analyses are written as reports with headings, not as essays. The report should clearly identify the relevant sections for the reader.

a. Title page

Use standard APA format to develop a title page.

b. Introduction

Determine a thesis. Summarize, in one sentence, the principal outcome of your analysis. This is the thesis for your report and should be clearly stated in the first few paragraphs. The introduction identifies the central problem.

c. Background

Take the central problem, and place it in a context for the reader providing background information about the case. Do not reiterate or rehash the facts stated in the case. Rather, place the case in a research context. The background section demonstrates to the reader that you have conducted research, either academically or in the field, regarding the types of problems that the case study describes. Be sure that your written presentation focuses your diagnosis of the problems on the most important issues.

d. Key Problems

This is where you identify your thoughts about the problems that exist. It is considered a very important part of the report. Start with the “who-when-where-what-why-how” typical questions. Ask yourself here as you ponder the situation: “What are the problems at this company?” There certainly is usually more than one problem. Identify the ones you see as being instrumental to the success of the company or its project.

e. Alternatives

Now that you have conducted research and placed the problem(s) into a context, you will have informed choices about the alternative solutions to the problem(s).

You are not expected to analyze all possible alternatives. However, you should have considered several alternatives when you formed your opinion about the case. Discuss these alternatives and why you rejected them in determining your solution to the case. Why are these viable alternatives? What are the constraints (e.g. money, time, personnel, resources) imposed and the reason that you do not recommend the alternative at this time?

f. Proposed Solution

Discuss your proposed solution providing support with solid evidence. Generally, you should only provide one proposed solution. Keep in mind that in the context of the case study, the characters or company can only start on one solution at a time. Which one do you propose and why? Justify why this solution is the best option through a logical argument supported by research.

The proposed solution should be specific and realistic.

g. Recommendations

If appropriate, you may conclude your written analysis with a discussion of the implications of the problems you identified on the functioning of the organization or on the relationship among individuals in the case. You may also want to make recommendations for further action that might be taken to resolve some of these issues. Be specific about what should be done and who should do it. This section discusses specific strategies that the individuals in the case can do to accomplish the proposed solution.

Check with your instructor as to whether this section should be included in your case analysis report.

2. Produce a first draft of your case analysis.

3. Revise and edit the draft.

4. Format and proofread the final report.

Case study reports are written in a structured format, not as essays. Case study reports usually contain an Executive Summary that contains brief summaries of the Introduction, Background, and Proposed Solution sections of your report. The Executive Summary provides a quick, easy-to-read summary of these three main parts of the case study. (Check with your instructor to see if he or she requires an Executive Summary to be included with your report.)

Tips for formatting the final report:

a. If an Executive Summary is to be included, it should be single-spaced with relevant headings identifying the sections. The Executive Summary should summarize those sections of the report, and not contain any information not discussed by the report.

b. The case study analysis should be written as a structured report, with relevant headings. The case study analysis is not an essay.

5. Include any relevant appendices and references in a proper APA format.